Christmas in Rome

The film opens with Angela de Luca, an American expat and tour guide in Rome, who is fired by her boss, Tomasso, for deviating from the script and taking tourists on unauthorized adventures, such as sneaking into museums and losing a gladiator sword. Meanwhile, in New York, Oliver Martin is a high-powered acquisitions executive who is sent to Rome by his boss, Estelle, to buy Forlinghetti Ceramics. Upon arriving in Rome, Oliver literally runs into Angela while texting and walking. Angela helps him find a restaurant for his meeting with Luigi Forlinghetti, the company owner. When the meeting goes poorly because Oliver is too focused on numbers, Angela intervenes, impressing Luigi with her knowledge of Roman culture. Luigi invites them both to his factory, prompting Oliver to hire Angela as his personal guide to help him understand the 'soul of Rome' and win Luigi's trust. Over the next few days, Angela takes Oliver on a 'bespoke' tour, visiting her favorite secret spots, riding a Vespa, and teaching him about local traditions like 'caffè sospeso' (suspended coffee). Oliver, in turn, helps Angela draft a professional business plan for her dream company, 'When in Roma.' They bond over baking panettone at a local bakery and visiting Luigi’s villa, where Oliver presents handmade gifts to Luigi’s grandchildren. The romance blossoms as they throw three coins into the Trevi Fountain, a gesture symbolizing true love. However, conflict arises when Oliver successfully closes the deal but is immediately offered a Vice President promotion that requires him to return to New York on Christmas Eve. Angela, unwilling to do a long-distance relationship after being left at the altar years prior, tells Oliver they should just be friends. On Christmas Eve, Angela considers moving back to Seattle, feeling her Roman dream is over. However, her friend Francesca encourages her to fight for love. Simultaneously, Oliver realizes that his career goals are empty without Angela. He meets with his boss and Luigi to negotiate a new arrangement. Angela tracks Oliver down at St. Peter's Square using a GPS device she gave him earlier. Oliver reveals he has turned down the New York promotion to stay in Rome and run the new Italian division of the company. The film concludes with the Fletchers (investors Oliver introduced to Angela) agreeing to fund her tour company, and the couple sharing a kiss in the same spot where Angela’s parents stood forty years earlier.